1864-07-03Near Petersburg, Va
Camp 45th Regt P.V.V.

near Peterburg, Va.

July 3rd, 1864

Dear Parents

This Sabbath evening finds me trying to write a fiew lines for your perusual, and to let you know that I am still in good health. It has been but a short time since I wrote you but I have rec'd two letters since then. The one you sent by Henry he mailed at York and one Mother wrote on the 22nd of June. They both came together. Your letters all come through but my papers do not come. Others have papers come regular but I never get any. Only an occasional one of those sent me ever get through. I do not know the reason of their not coming through. Henry Foot was here this afternoon and Ed Carroll. They are looking well. Henry Watrous is at Little York yet, his arm has broken out again. Thomas rec'd a letter from him today. I have no news of importance to write. Everything goes off as usual but how long this routine of duty will last I do not know. l presume it will change before long. A good many are looking for a general engagement to take place tomorrow but I do not know that there is any particular reason for an engagement, for our works are not completed yet unless they have succeeded amazingly since we were in the front 48 hours ago. Then they thought they would not be ready to blow up their fort in our front under a week or more. The report is that old Bob Lee is going to surprise the nation on the morrow but I think when he sees Petersburg going up into the clouds he will be more surprised than those who are to be surprised. Oh how I would like to be up home tomorrow to spend the fourth. I think it would be more agreeable than the canonading in front of Petersburg but as it is we will enjoy ourselves to the best of our ability. We have plenty of tea and lemons so that we will not lack for lemonade but the dinner and other fixins, as the Yankees call them, we lack. We are getting plenty of vegetables from the Sanitary Commission and we make a good many delicious meals out of them. They often remind me of home and the scenes of early life. I often wish that I were now only 10 or 12 years old again. I think I could enjoy myself better than being a Soldier but our Country needs all the help we can give her. It is getting supper time and I must close hoping to hear from you soon. Please write often as convenient to your ever Affectionate Son

J .D. Strait

Direct to Co. 1 45th Regt P.V.V.

Washington, D.C.